Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines partner to bring WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the 78th Anniversary

The Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines have partnered to bring WWII veterans to Normandy, France to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Chartering a Boeing-767, Delta will fly these honored guests to Normandy where they will be recognized and celebrated. As the anniversary of D-Day approaches, the Best Defense Foundation will bring WWII veterans from across the country to the beaches of Normandy, France. The veterans will depart from Atlanta, Georgia on June 1, 2022 and land in Deauville, France to participate in a week-long program that will include the official D-Day Commemoration on June 6. All expenses are covered by Best Defense Foundation and corporate sponsors so that these veterans can return to their battlefields at no cost.

“The mission of the Best Defense Foundation is ‘taking care of those who took care of us.’ Through this amazing partnership with Delta Air Lines, we are able to accomplish this mission and provide these heroes with the opportunity to reconnect with their brothers, honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and celebrate the liberation of an ally.” -Donnie Edwards, Founder, Best Defense Foundation.

Founded by Edwards and re-established in 2018 as a 501c3 non-profit foundation, the Best Defense Foundation’s mission is to help veterans and their families. Its efforts are funded exclusively through sponsorships, private donations, fundraising events and Edwards’ own philanthropy and generosity. A cornerstone of the Foundation is a commitment to bring WWII veterans back to their battlefields to help them find closure and camaraderie with their brothers-in-arms and celebrate their acts of heroism and sacrifice all those years ago. Since 2018, the Foundation has provided ‘Battlefield Return’ programs to Iwo Jima, Belgium, the Eagle’s Nest, Guam, Tinian and Saipan, Normandy and Germany.

“Around 10% of Delta’s employees are veterans, with many of them continuing to serve in the Guard or Reserves,” said Tad Hutcheson, Delta’s Managing Director of Community Engagement. “We are indebted to these heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow for the sacrifices they’ve made on behalf of our country and the world. It is our privilege to participate in this charter that celebrates and honors these veterans.” Delta has a long history of supporting armed service members and veterans through partnerships with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation; Fisher House Foundation; Folds of Honor; Luke’s Wings; Marine Toys for Tots; Serving Our Troops, the USO along with the Freedom Center in Detroit; and the Armed Forces Service Centers in Miami and Minneapolis. Delta is committed to supporting and providing jobs for the armed service members and veterans who serve our country.

Interested sponsors and media queries can be directed to Amanda Thompson of the Best Defense Foundation via email at amanda@bdf.org.